Matt Gaetz: Legislation could shorten Frank Walls’ stay on death row

Published: Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 02:42 PM.

State Rep. Matt Gaetz is eager to give serial killer Frank Walls something to contemplate as he sits in his cell on death row at the Union Correctional Institute.

Gaetz believes legislation he has introduced, if passed, could significantly lessen the time Walls will have left before his date with the executioner.

“If the Timely Justice Act becomes law, Mr. Walls is going to have to start thinking about what his last meal is going to be,” Gaetz said.

The Fort Walton Beach Republican last week sought to add language to the Timely Justice bill that would require the governor to sign execution warrants within 30 days of the conclusion of a death row inmate’s appeals.

He said Scott “has engaged in the language of the bill and is involved in drafting the legislation.”

Walls, described in long-ago news articles as an itinerant dishwasher, petty thief and horror movie buff, was convicted July 18, 1988, for the murders of Edward Alger Jr. and Ann Peterson during a burglary at their house trailer in Ocean City on July 22, 1987.

The heinous nature of the crimes — he shot both victims and slashed Alger’s throat — convinced a jury that Walls deserved to be executed. He was put on Florida’s death row Aug. 24, 1988, and has remained there for almost 25 years.

Walls was suspected to have been involved in as many as four other local killings.

Records indicate Walls’ most recent appeal was denied last April, and a “transitional cases” document provided by Gaetz’s office states his is one of almost 100 death row cases in Florida that “appear to have exhausted all filing options.”

“Frank Walls has no pending litigation before any court. He is warrant ripe,” Gaetz said. “If this legislation passes, my belief is the governor will very promptly be signing his death warrant.”

Also appearing on the transitional list Gaetz provided is Daniel Peterka, who was sentenced to death in 1990 for the 1989 killing of his roommate, John Russell.

State Rep. Matt Gaetz is eager to give serial killer Frank Walls something to contemplate as he sits in his cell on death row at the Union Correctional Institute.

Gaetz believes legislation he has introduced, if passed, could significantly lessen the time Walls will have left before his date with the executioner.

“If the Timely Justice Act becomes law, Mr. Walls is going to have to start thinking about what his last meal is going to be,” Gaetz said.

The Fort Walton Beach Republican last week sought to add language to the Timely Justice bill that would require the governor to sign execution warrants within 30 days of the conclusion of a death row inmate’s appeals.

He said Scott “has engaged in the language of the bill and is involved in drafting the legislation.”

Walls, described in long-ago news articles as an itinerant dishwasher, petty thief and horror movie buff, was convicted July 18, 1988, for the murders of Edward Alger Jr. and Ann Peterson during a burglary at their house trailer in Ocean City on July 22, 1987.

The heinous nature of the crimes — he shot both victims and slashed Alger’s throat — convinced a jury that Walls deserved to be executed. He was put on Florida’s death row Aug. 24, 1988, and has remained there for almost 25 years.

Walls was suspected to have been involved in as many as four other local killings.

Records indicate Walls’ most recent appeal was denied last April, and a “transitional cases” document provided by Gaetz’s office states his is one of almost 100 death row cases in Florida that “appear to have exhausted all filing options.”

“Frank Walls has no pending litigation before any court. He is warrant ripe,” Gaetz said. “If this legislation passes, my belief is the governor will very promptly be signing his death warrant.”

Also appearing on the transitional list Gaetz provided is Daniel Peterka, who was sentenced to death in 1990 for the 1989 killing of his roommate, John Russell.